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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14
3. Te-Papaki-A-Kucta, pp. 46 and 62
3. Te-Papaki-A-Kucta, pp. 46 and 62.
This, very remarkable place has certainly a correspondingly remarkable name. As in the former proper names above, so here, the last word is the difficult one to fix the meaning of; though this one is much more so.
After no small study, I think that kuuta must be taken as representing tu uta; (k in ancient words being sometimes used for t;*) then, tu uta may mean,—Tu, = the warrior god (Mars) defender of the interior (uta).
Papaki = the perpendicular cliff, dyke, barrier.
Te, and a, (active prep, for of) as before.
Thus we have,—The barrier of (the) defender god (of the) interior.
I noticed, that some of the old Maoris of Patea laid stress on and lengthened the last vowel of the word; thus,—"Te-papaki-a-kuutaa": the meaning however would be very nearly the same,—instead of—"the god-defender of the interior" (uta); it would be, the "god-man-slayer by dashing down" (taa). Both meanings, as they seem to me, are equally suitable.—
* In the Hawaiian (Sandwich Islands) dialect k is frequently interchanged with t; and it is worthy perhaps of notice, that another romantic place among these mountains not very far away N. from this,—Kuripapango,—is supposed to derive its old proper name from a Hawaiian word. (Vide, "Three Literary Tapers", by W.C., p. 4: 1883.)